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Preservation of the Gaviota Coast

The Gaviota Coast

The Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County, California, lies between Coal Oil Point in Goleta and Point Sal near Lompoc, and includes the coastal watersheds which drain to this coast. 

A unique and imperiled area

The coastal Mediterranean ecosystems of the world are among the world's most threatened environments. The Gaviota Coast is the largest intact remnant of such an environment in the United States. 

  The Southern California Coastal Province (Pt. Conception to Mexico) contains the highest density of imperiled species of anywhere in the U.S.

  While the Gaviota Coast represents only 15% of the 300-mile Southern California coastline, it contains about 50% of its remaining rural coastline. Even though most of the Southern California coastal areas have been dramatically altered and biologically degraded by expanding human occupation, the still rural Gaviota Coast retains a high degree of biodiversity. This is true because of three key factors: natural and agricultural landscapes still prevail, the area is a transition zone between two distinct ecoregions, and the Santa Ynez Mountains serve as an effective wildlife migration corridor from large interior wildlands.

  The marine ecosystem of the Santa Barbara Channel is also a mixing zone between the northern and southern marine biota, due to the dominant ocean currents.  The current pattern in the Channel connects the mainland watersheds with the offshore marine ecosystem, including the Channel Islands and the adjacent National Marine Sanctuary.

  The Gaviota Coast supported the highest density of coastal Native Americans in California. Important archeological resources remain relatively undisturbed on the Gaviota Coast.

  Agriculture on the Gaviota Coast dates back to the beginning of western settlement. Several families have been in agriculture for generations.

These characteristics led the United States Congress to authorize a study by the National Park Service to see whether and how the area might be considered for inclusion into the National Park System. 

In November of 1999 Congress authorized the National Park Service to evaluate the feasibility of including all or part of the Gaviota Coast in the National Park System.  The study was to cover a 76 mile segment of the Coast and would include Vandenberg Air Force Base, approximately 215,000 acres.  The study began in January of 2000 and concluded in April 2003 with a report from the Park Service which found the area contains both natural and cultural resources that meet the three of the four criteria for national significance; 1. Natural Resources, 2. Cultural Resources  3. Suitability.

However, the Bush Adminitration  concluded that the area was not feasible for inclusion in the Park system and recommended that the area be managed by and under local control.  Vandenberg Air Force Base remains under the control of the Air Force, there are several State Beaches and small Parks, the U.S. Forest Service owns the slopes and summits of the San Ynez Mountains.  

The remaining privately owned lands, which lie between the mountains and the sea, (the Area of Special Concern) are controlled by Santa Barbara County through zoning.  Most of these lands are zoned for agriculture with large lot sizes required.  However, in Santa Barbara County, agricultural zoning allows a house, a barn, a swimming pool, a cabana and a guest house.  Applications for large houses with these amenities are currently being submitted to Santa Barbara County.  In 2003 an appeal of the first of these was  filed with the County.  The appeal is now before the Board of Supervisors.

The future of the Gaviota Coast is about to be decided.

Additional Information and Resources

• Current Gaviota Situation
  by Ed Easton 07-17-2005
  2005 may be the crucial year for the Gaviota Coast.
  

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